Young Thespians: Harvey High's Red Raiders going 'Purple'

Some shows are performed year after year because they are so popular. You can bet that a youth group or school somewhere is readying a spring musical performance of "Guys and Dolls," "Anything Goes," or -- lately -- "Les Miserables." Reasons why shows are staged again and again may include their friendliness to budget constraints, or the fact that they may have a large cast that can accommodate as many kids as possible.

One reason a greater variety of shows are not attempted is because they just aren't appropriate for schools or youth. "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" is one of those you won't see on a school marquee, thankfully. Here's betting a school version of "The Book of Mormon" is not forthcoming. (And if there was, would you want to see it?)

"Damn Yankees" and "Annie Get Your Gun" also suffer because of unfortunate titles.

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Every once in a while, a school is able to try something a little different because a title matches their school's ambitions, talent level or students.

Harvey High School in Painesville is attempting such a production now as it prepares to open a production of "The Color Purple." Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 15; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 16; and 2:30 p.m. March 17. A catered pasta dinner at 5:30 p.m. March 16 will allow either of that day's audience members to do a show and dinner or dinner and a show. Advanced reserved seating -- which can be purchased at the school -- is $6, while dinner and show tickets are $20. Tickets at the door are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Call 440-392-5170 for information.

"We are proud to be producing this show," director Kim Hildack said. "It has been produced by less than 10 high schools in the country. I was looking for a show that had many female parts while requiring less men. I had three strong senior girls and wanted to be able to provide good roles for all three."

"The Color Purple" was a popular book before being adapted into a movie by Steven Spielberg that starred Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg, among others.

"I have always loved the book and the movie and the message of love -- love for self being the biggest love that she discovers," Hildack said of the character, Celie. "The major transition of Celie that I find to be so powerful is when after years of living with the abuse of Mister she finally finds the strength to leave.

"There are so many messages that can be taken from this show. It is a story of redemption, taking a stand against domestic violence, having faith even when it is challenging, knowing that love shouldn't hurt. It is a story about love."

Those are deep themes for a high school production. But Hildack and her kids fought for permission to do the show.

"This is definitely not just another show choice," Hildack admits. "I always try to find shows that will meet the students where they are and take them further. This is definitely one of those shows. Our entire school district has been having many discussions, book talks, guest speakers, and mini sessions on teaching in a culturally responsive way. I approached school leadership with my idea for our show and after much serious discussion was given permission to perform the show."

Anyone who has seen the film may wonder about content, as the story does not shy away from difficult truths. But Hildack has made sure the show is an educational opportunity for the community.

"We are aware of the very serious themes and issues in the show and have taken great care to approach them in a sensitive manner without compromising the integrity of the show," Hildack said. "We have approached some of the themes of the show head-on from the character's perspective. We have had some very serious, honest discussions about the time period and the challenges the characters faced. At the end of the day, my students are still actors portraying characters on the stage, but this time they have a point of reference in their character development."

Tasia Ford is a senior active in concert choir and marching band who has performed in Harvey's productions of "Cinderella's Dream," "Peter Pan," and "Secret Garden." She also has appeared in "Seussical," "Cats," and "Aida," among others. But Tasia said this final production for her at Harvey has been her favorite.

"This show incorporates a nice down-South blues that can either move you to your feet or to tears," Tasia said of the musical score. "Unlike a lot of the other shows I have participated in, 'The Color Purple' actually discusses a lot of racial and gender roles. Since this show takes place in such a crucial time period for blacks and women, I had a harder time portraying this time period through my character. I would say this show has created a lot of pressure because a lot of people have seen the movie or read the book -- including myself -- and I just hope to do my character justice."

Tasia said the cast has been unified in their goal of bringing this show to their stage.

"As a cast we are all really striving to give off the energy of hope," Tasia said. "No matter how many times we are told we are not good enough, we are destined to make it."

Tasia looked to other performances for inspiration, including LeVar Burton's classic performance as Kunta Kinte in "Roots."

"His character goes from being a warrior to a slave," she said, "and I remember one of the most dramatic scenes in the movie was when he lost his African name and surrendered to his new name the 'white man' had gave him. I was brought to tears and so moved by his pain, and I just hope the audience can feel that as well."

While getting in touch with the time period was difficult at times, Tasia said it is not hard to identify with the issues.

"I have never experienced the same amount of racism, ignorance, or male intolerance as she has," she said, "but I still could find relation of her life to mine. I have experienced racism before, and I have been told because I am a girl that I couldn't do the same thing a man could.

"But just like my character Sophia, I never let anyone set limits on me or my future and I will fight for what I believe in. I believe every women has a little Sophia in them."

Autumn Heard is a senior who will play Shug Avery. She has appeared in Harvey shows such as "Once on This Island" and "Annie," just to name a few. None of them, however, are like "Purple."

" 'The Color Purple' is something completely different than anything we've ever done before," Autumn said, "because it's a well-known show in our community. People are expecting something phenomenal and have given us so much support already."

Like Tasia, Autumn has dug deep into the show's themes.

"Women were basically expected to just get married and have kids," Autumn said. "My character, Shug Avery, is completely different from any other woman in this musical because while others are getting married and raising kids, she's out performing and following her dream.

"The most important character trait of Shug's, in my opinion, is her confidence. There is a point in the musical where Celie asks Shug if she misses her children, and Shug replies by saying, 'I don't miss nothin'.' To me, this is one of my deepest lines and it took a while for me to be able to figure out the right emotion to put behind it."

Certainly the audience figures to be as emotional as the cast about this production.

Fine Arts Association

There is still time to catch "Cinderella." Sandy Kosovich Peck directs this production that is being presented by the Yarnell Youth Theatre Co. Performances run at 7:30 p.m. Friday and March 1; and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and March 2 and 3.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors 60 and older and students 11 and older, and $10 for kids 10 and younger. Call the Fine Arts Association at 440-951-7500 for information. Order tickets online at www.fineartsassociation.org.

"Cinderella" features music and lyrics by Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston, and book adapted and additional lyrics by Marcy Heisler. Music was adapted and arranged by Bryan Louiselle, and the story is based on the screenplay by Ken Anderson and Homer Brightman.

Have a story idea? Email me at stevecouch@windstream.net. Young Thespians is also available online at www.news-herald.com for you to search and find articles and leave comments. You also can visit the Young Thespians Facebook group page and talk about upcoming productions and current efforts with other interested fans of the theater in Northeast Ohio.